ABOUT US
Access to the Outdoors Changes Lives. We Make It Possible.
This short video shows our programs in Action: Big thanks to Travel Alberta for showcasing our adaptive experiences for all!
Our History
Adaptable Outdoors is an award winning federally registered charity based in Pincher Creek, Alberta & founded in 2019 by Steve Holly and Sara Holly. We believe outdoor adventure should be for everyone. The benefits of outdoor recreation to physical and mental health and well-being are well documented. People with disabilities often face unique barriers to accessing outdoor recreation, especially in rural communities. We use adaptive equipment, teamwork, and creativity to allow people of all abilities to experience the benefits of outdoor recreation, leading to physically and mentally healthier individuals, families and communities. We keep our programs very affordable for our clients and free to those experiencing financial hardship, so that cost is not another barrier to participation. In order to deliver these experiences, we rely on volunteer support, grants and private donations for equipment and operational needs.
Our organization’s hard work and dedication to increasing recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities, has been recognized with a number of awards over the years including:
The Community Partnership Award (2021) – Awarded by The Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association
The Collaborator Award (2023) – Awarded by The International Day of Persons With Disabilities Alberta
The Community Organization Impact Award (2023) – Awarded by The Pincher Creek Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence
The AABRD Legacy Award (2024) – Awarded by The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association
Our Team
Our Volunteer board of directors is made up of people with experience in delivering and participating in adaptive sport, over 50% of our directors are people with lived experience of disability.
President – Alec Chisolm
Alec Chisholm is a mountain enthusiast who works as a physiotherapist in Pincher Creek. Before volunteering as a board member for Adaptable Outdoors, Alec coached Special Olympics Soccer in Calgary and was a ski Instructor with the Canadian Adaptive Snowsport program at Castle Mountain.
Vice President – Kevin Roelofs
Kevin Roelofs is a proud board member of AdaptABLE Outdoors and test driver of new equipment. He had not been on a hike for 15 years until the first TrailRider trip he went on. The fresh mountain air and the smell of the meadow brought him to tears and changed the direction of his life. He is a life-long athlete of all kinds of sports. Kevin thinks you need this in your life too, and encourages you to participate and find out!
Secretary/Treasurer & Co-Founder – Sara Holly
Sara Braun Holly has volunteered to support various adaptive programs in Alberta for over 15 years, including hiking, backcountry camping, kayaking, rock climbing, yoga, nordic and alpine skiing. She works as a physiotherapist in Pincher Creek, and co-founded Adaptable Outdoors with her husband, Steve.
Board Member – Christina Scott
Christina Scott lives in Coaldale with her husband Peter. Working as an administrative assistant for a non-profit which supports people with disabilities, she is a fierce advocate with many years of lived experience. She is proud to be a representative for Adaptable Outdoors, sharing how the organization has bettered her life with everyone she meets.
Board Member – Becca Neels
Becca Neels lives in Fort Macleod. Because of her local work as an Early Childhood Educator working primarily with children that have complex needs and lived experience with a physical disability, she is a passionate advocate for people living with disabilities. She is humbled to be a representative of AdaptABLE as well as other organizations that support an active lifestyle for people of all abilities. This work is extremely important to her because of the freedom she has found in recreational, adaptive and competitive activities, despite her condition. She is so excited to be able to play a part in ensuring that people have the opportunity to access these activities and experience the same empowering feelings that she has.
Links to More Info
Learn more about Adaptable Outdoors and our impact in the community through our organization’s recent Annual Reports:
Learn more about us by visiting our YouTube channel, where you can see some more videos of our programs in action!
Adaptable Outdoors YouTube Channel
Our Mission
To provide opportunities for people living with disabilities to experience the benefits of outdoor recreation.
In pursuing this mission, we will bring about the following results:
1. Offer adaptive outdoor recreation programs for people living with disabilities, using adaptive equipment and/or appropriate support.
2. Engage a diverse group of people, providing opportunities for people of all ages living with a variety of different disabilities.
3. Work toward better accessibility in outdoor recreation areas.
Donations Make Us Possible
Thanks to our generous donors, we can provide our programs.
If you’d like to donate to Adaptable Outdoors please click the link below and it will direct you to our donation portal.
All donations will be used to support our adaptive programs and are greatly appreciated!